Interview with Sarah Lee Snepp, August 14, 1977

Partial Transcript: This is Professor Charles P. Roland from the University of Kentucky History Department.

Segment Synopsis: Snepp details what Chandler was like as a young boy. Chandler's interest in history and the poverty of his family are emphasized.

Keywords: "Irish"; Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler; American history; Apartments; Aunts; Banks; Battle of Shiloh; Biscuits; Excellent; Friendly; Happy; High standards; Irish songs; Meals; Nicknames; Night telephone operators; Post offices; Prepared; Strict

Subjects: Classmates; Corydon (Ky.); Fathers; Food; Friends; Governors; Grandfathers; History; Kentucky; Neighbors; Newspapers; Poverty; Singing; Students; Teachers; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.

Partial Transcript: Uh, from age four, he had no mother.

Segment Synopsis: Snepp considers the impact upon Chandler of his mother abandoning the family when he was four. Snepp also talks of the crucial role that Chandler's father played in his life after his mother left the family.

Keywords: Abandonment; Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler; Christian Church; Class party; Colleges; Curfew; Deserving; Found; Help; High ideals; Horatio Alger; Idealistic; Idealize; Mother Machree (Song); Obedient; Refreshments; Sundays; Watch

Subjects: Baseball; Brothers; Charity; Corydon (Ky.); Fathers; Governors; Harvard Law School; High schools; Kentucky; Literature; Love; Ministers; Money; Motherhood; Mothers; Poverty; Proud; Respect; Sadness; Songs; Study

Partial Transcript: Now, in, uh, in high school, uh, uh, you, you've mentioned his coming to a party. Did he bring a girlfriend to that party?

Segment Synopsis: Snepp describes what Chandler was like in high school. Chandler was found to be studious and did not have a girlfriend, and was also heavily involved in extracurricular activities.

Keywords: Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler; Choirs; Class plays; Favorite; Girlfriends; Goals; Letters; Paper slips; Sayings; Scholars; Songs

Subjects: Classmates; Corydon (Ky.); Dreams; Governors; High schools; Kentucky; Singing; Students; Study

Partial Transcript: Well, he's, uh--how do you explain--or do you--or have you thought about this, uh, did, uh, uh--being poor as he was, how did he--how could he have such an effervescent and happy personality?

Segment Synopsis: Snepp discusses what factors in Chandler's early life influenced his upbeat personality.

Keywords: Adversity; Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler; Ambitions; Baptist Church; Character; Christian Church; Good students; Interested; Newspaper boys; Obedient; Welfare

Subjects: Brothers; Christianity; Corydon (Ky.); Death; Early life; Fathers; Governors; Kentucky; Newspapers; Personality; Poverty; Religion; Singing; Trees

Partial Transcript: When he left and, and went to college, I suppose your connection with him--your association with him--

Segment Synopsis: Snepp articulates what her friendship with Chandler was like after they both graduated from high school.

Keywords: Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler; Class reunions; Honeymoons

Subjects: Corydon (Ky.); Friendships; Governors; High schools; Kentucky; Marriage; Meeting; Speech; Versailles (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: You mentioned his great love for history...

Segment Synopsis: Snepp reveals the subjects that Chandler enjoyed the most in school.

Keywords: Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler; Aunts; Books; Campaign write-ups; Classes; Escape; Fulfillment; Grade schools; Interesting; Politics; Preparation; Release

Subjects: Boring; Classmates; Corydon (Ky.); Education; Governors; High schools; History; Humor; Kentucky; Life; Notebooks; Poetry; Students; Teachers

Partial Transcript: Did he sing at that class party that night?

Segment Synopsis: Snepp discusses how the influence of Chandler's father allowed him to develop a strong work ethic that propelled him to a successful career and life. The reception of Corydon to Chandler and influence of the Corydon community upon Chandler are also mentioned.

Keywords: Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler; Aunts; Class party; Community; Cousins; Curfews; Deserving; Determination; Family; Fond; Friendly; Grit; Influential; Lanterns; Likeable; Overcome; Political speech; Relatives; Warm; Zeal

Subjects: Classmates; Corydon (Ky.); Dreams; Fathers; Food; Governors; Grandfathers; Henderson (Ky.); High schools; Kentucky; Personality; Praise; Scholarships; Talking; Teachers; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.; Work; Work ethic; Youth

Partial Transcript: Did the people of, uh, Corydon and the Corydon-Henderson area--I assume you in stay in fairly--

Segment Synopsis: Snepp illustrates the legacy and reputation that Chandler maintains in his hometown of Croydon, Kentucky. Snepp and her husband reflect upon what Chandler has accomplished, considering the circumstances of his childhood.

Keywords: Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler; American story; Assignments; Clothes; Community colleges; County garages; Defaced; Friendly; High-ranking; Horatio Alger; Jobs; Monuments; Positive; Rural improvement; Schools

Subjects: Childhood; Corydon (Ky.); Courage; Fathers; Governors; Henderson County (Ky.); Kentucky; Poverty; Tourism; Travel; Vandalism; Wealth